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Jacob Morton
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Major-General Jacob Morton (1761–1836) was an American military officer, lawyer, and businessman.
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Biography
[edit]Morton was born in New York City on July 8, 1761.[1][a] He studied law at The College of New Jersey, today Princeton University; however, Morton never practiced law.
In 1800, Morton was a Federalist candidate in New York's 2nd congressional district, narrowly losing to state assemblyman Samuel L. Mitchill by less than 100 votes.[4]
Morton served as New York City Comptroller from 1807 to 1808. Morton was also later clerk for the New York City Common Council.
Freemasonry
[edit]Morton was an active Freemason. While serving as the marshal for the First inauguration of George Washington in 1789, he found that no Bible was available, and Morton retrieved the Lodge Bible from St. John's Lodge where he was the Worshipful Master.[5] He later became the Grand Master of Grand Lodge of New York from 1801 to 1804.[6]
In 1796, Jacob Morton was listed as the presiding officer of Ancient Encampment, Knights Templar in New York City, in its first published list of officers. He remained in that office until 1810, when all traces of the encampment were lost. In 1815, the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of New York was created. On August 16, 1823, the Grand Encampment issued a warrant to Morton Encampment No. 4, now Morton Commandery No. 4, which was named in honor of General Morton.[7]
Morton was promoted to brigadier-general in 1804. The Brigade he commanded was known as "Morton's Brigade of Artillery," which was the precursor for the Seventh Regiment of New York.[8]
As Major-General, Morton led the New York Militia during the War of 1812.[9]
Legacy
[edit]The Grand Lodge of New York established an award named for Morton, known as the "Jacob Morton Award", given to Masons or Masonic Organizations that have demonstrated exceptional voluntary service to their community.[11]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Johnson, Rossiter; Brown, John Howard, eds. (1904). The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans. Vol. VII. Boston: The Biographical Society. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Herring, James (June 19, 1841). "Biography of the Late Major General Morton". New-York Military Magazine. Vol. I, no. 2. p. 17. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ Clark, Emmons (1890). History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889. Vol. I. New York. p. 250. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via Google Books.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "A New Nation Votes". elections.lib.tufts.edu. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
- ^ "The George Washington Inaugural Bible - Federal Hall National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. May 1921. p. 254. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ Historical Reminiscences of Morton Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar. 1891. pp. 21–23. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ Clark, Emmons (1864). History of the Second company of the Seventh regiment. Retrieved November 13, 2011 – via Google Books.
- ^ Daniel D. Tompkins (1898). Public papers of Daniel d. Tompkins, governor of New York, 1807-1817, volume 1. Retrieved November 13, 2011 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Death of General Morton". The Augusta Chronicle. December 17, 1836. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ "Awards Committee". Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
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